Surfing sailboat

ABSTRACT

The disclosure is directed to a sailboat which is constructed for riding in surfboard fashion. The boat includes a sail which is symmetrically mounted for rotation about a vertical mast. The mast is disposed toward the rear of the boat in order that wind striking the sail may serve to both steer and power the boat, and to give the rider unobstructed forward vision. Direction of boat movement is determined by angular deviation or side tipping of the boat hull from its normal floating position. Tipping is affected by weight shifting on the part of the rider, and is sensed by apparatus which governs attitude of the sail with respect to the wind.

United States Patent 1 Rachie 51 Jan. 2, 1973 54l SURFING SAILBOAT [76]Inventor: John B. Rachle, Route No. 3, Box

126, Forest Lake, Minn. 55025 [22] Filed: Sept. 16, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.:72,762

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Pool Herbst PrimaryExaminerMilt0n Buchler Assistant Examiner-Barry L. KelmachterAttorney-Merchant & Gould 57 ABSTRACT The disclosure is directed to asailboat which is constructed for riding in surfboard fashion. The boatincludes a sail which is symmetrically mounted for rotation about avertical mast. The mast is disposed toward the rear of the boat in orderthat wind striking the sail may serve to both steer and power the boat,and to give the rider unobstructed 7 forward vision. Direction of boatmovement is determined by angular deviation or side tipping of the boathull from its normal floating position. Tipping is affected by weightshifting on the part of the rider, and is sensed by apparatus whichgoverns attitude of the sail with respect to the wind.

14 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIEmmm 21m 3.707.935

SHEET 1 OF 3 gm 3; b To T o I .1

k I x X) a N I I i) INVENTOR.

JOHN B. EACH/E BY W ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAH 2 1915 SHEET 2 [IF 3 R O T N EV m JOHN B.- HAcH/z A T TOFNE Y5 PATENTEDJM 2 1973 SHEET 3 BF 3INVENTOR. JOHN .B. EACH/E ATTORNEYS SURFING SAILBOAT The invention isrelated specifically to sailboats which are designed for riding insurfboard fashion.

This type of craft has an unique appeal to water sports enthusiastsbecause it combines the fun of sailing with the excitement of oceansurfing. It can be enjoyed on bodies of water other than oceans and,obviously, does not require waves for motivation. Because of theirextreme light weight, surfing sailboats need only the slightest breezeto get under way.

One type of surfing sailboat forms'the subject matter of U.S. Pat. No.3,487,800, issued to Hoyle Schweitzer and James Drake on Jan. 6, l970.In the Schweitzer et al. patent, the mast is pivotally mounted to thesurfboard or hull by a universal joint rather than being rigidlysecured. The rider holds the mast and sail upright and controls thedirection of boat movement by maneuvering the mast and sail fore andaft.

As with the other types of surfing sailboats of which I am aware, theSchweitzer et al. boat is controlled by manual movement of the sail bythe rider. To the best of my knowledge, there is no boat in the priorart in which the sailor-surfer assumes and maintains a balanced positionon the board and effects steering merely through the shifting of hisweight in true surfboard fashion.

My invention accomplishes this objection through apparatus which sensesangular deviation or side tipping of the board from its normal floatingposition and changes the attitude of the sail accordingly. In thepreferred embodiment, this apparatus comprises a sail symmetricallymounted on a frame for rotation about the vertical mast. The sail frameis connected to a weighted arm which is horizontally disposed and m'ovescircumferentially on an inclined track. Thus, as the rider tips the boatto one side, the weighted arm moves by gravity in the same direction tothe lowest point on the track. This causes the sail to rotate about themast, changing its attitude with respect to the wind and therebyaltering the direction of boat movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective viewof sailboat steering apparatus embodying the inventive principle;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the steering ap-' paratus mountedon a boat hull FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the steeringapparatus and boat hull;

FIG. 4 is a top plan of the steering apparatus as mounted on the boathull;

FIGS. 5-8 depict various operational positions of the steering apparatusin effecting a desired direction of movement;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary exploded view of an alternative embodiment ofthesteering apparatus; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of thealternative steering apparatus, showing also an alternative centerboard.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, a sailing andsteering apparatus constructed and arranged for mounting on a suitableboat hull is represented generally by the numeral 11. Apparatus l 1comprises a frame 12 which rigidly supports a vertically disposed mast13 as by bolts 14; A sail frame shown generally at 15 comprises asinglevertical member 16 and a plurality of horizontally disposedsupport members 17 which are interconnected by a plurality of ringmembers 18. Members 18 are axially aligned and disposed for slidablemovement on mast 13. A sail 19, preferably symmetrical in shape,includes an eyelet 21 which slips over the upper end of vertical member16 and a plurality of tie strings 22 which are appropriately placed fortying through loops disposed at the outer ends of horizontal members 17.

Disposed at the base of mast 13 and freely rotatable with respectthereto is a length of pipe 23, which normally rests on frame 12.Rigidly attached to the top of pipe 23 is a bracket plate 24 which isbolted to a second bracket plate 25 similarly attached to the bottom ofvertical member 16. Thus, rotation of the length of pipe 23 causes asimilar rotation of sail l9.

A short tube 26 is rigidly attached to the rear side of pipe 23 toreceive and support an arm member 27. Arm 27 angles downwardly after itsconnection to tube 26, and its lowermost portion carries a roller 28 atan intermediate point and a weight 29 the position of which isadjustable between roller 28 and the outer end.

The rear peripheral portion of frame 12 forms a ramp 31 which isradially disposed with respect to mast l3. Ramp 31 serves as a track forroller 28 and arm 27, and is inclined upwardly from its midpoint in bothdirections/This inclination of ramp 31 is provided to restrain themovement of arm 27 when frame 12 is tipped away from its normalhorizontal position, and to permit arm 27 to swing back toward themidpoint when frame 12 resumes the normal position. In the absence oframp 31, the tipping of frame 12 would permit arm 27 to swinguncontrollably outward by the affect of gravity on weight 29, and itsreturn would be unpredictable if it occurred at all. With the inclinedramp, however, such movement is restrained, and arm 27 seeks the lowestposition on track 31 when frame 12 is tipped.

The front side of pipe 23 carries a pair of rigidly attached bracketmembers 32 each of which pivotally supports an arm member 33. Arms 33are connected by a length of strong fabric 34, which permits theassembly to serve as a manual steering mechanism for the boat asdescribed in further detail below. A coil spring 35 connected inover-center fashion between eaCh of the arms 33 and frame 12 permits thesteering assembly to be held in either a downwardly projecting positionwhere it can be grasped for manual steering of the craft, or in anupward position which is out of the way and does not hinder the riderduring surfing operation.

The preferred embodiment of apparatus 11 also includes a centerboard 41which serves to stabilize the watercraft as it moves through the water.Centerboard 41 is attached to a dihedral member 42, which in turn isconstructed to be releasably fastened to the bottom of the hull.Preferably, this fastening is accomplished through a pair of straps 43,one of which passes through a notch 44 in dihedral member 42, encirclesthe boat hull and passes through aligned openings 45 in frame 12 beforebeing buckled down. An alternative centerboard 41b (FIG. 10) may beused, depending on wind conditions and the degree of maneuverability andstability desired.

Steering and sailing apparatus 11 may be fastened to a boat hull 51 bythe pair of straps 43, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9. For best results,apparatus 11 is positioned on the aft portion of hull 51 as shown. Thisnot only provides the most responsive steering, but also gives the riderunobstructed forward vision.

Operation of the craft is shown in FIGS. 4-8. For movement against thewind, operation is in the traditional sailing manner; i.e., varioustacks may be taken by moving arms 33 to their downward position andmanually rotating the mast and sail. If it is desired, the rider canassume a surfing position and maintain the sail at a desired attitude bystanding on fabric 34.

When a desirable location has been reached, the boat is guided formovement with the wind at which time the rider assumes a surfingposition (standing, sitting or lying down) immediately forward of arms33 which permits the simple shifting of body weight. With sail 19 setperpendicularly to the wind direction, the boat remains in its normalfloating position and proceeds straight through the water. If the riderwishes the craft to bear to the right, he need only shift his weight tothe starboard side as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This causes the craft toangularly deviate or tip from its normal floating position, which inturn causes weight 29 to also move in the starboard direction. Thus,roller 28 is moved to the lowest available position on track 31, whichrotates sail 19 about mast l3. Rotation of sail 19 also causes it tomove axially upward on mast 13 by reason of the incline of track 31. Astop 30. affixed to mast 13 (FIG. 3) limits upward movement of sail l9,and thereby limits its rotational movement in either direction.

Because of the rearward position of steering apparatus 11 on hull 51,the wind, in obliquely striking sail 19, tends to move the aft portionof the boat to the left of the forward portion. Centerboard 41 preventsa full drift to the left, assists in transmitting the wind force in thealtered direction and stabilizes the boat in the tipped position. Theoverall result is movement of the boat to the right.

FIGS. 7 and 8 depict movement of the craft to the left, which isaccomplished by the rider shifting his weight to the port side. Weight29 follows until roller 28 is situated at the lowermost portion on track31. The attitude of sail 19 being changed, the wind drives the aftportion of the craft outward with respect to the forward portion,causing movement to the left.

For maximum performance and speed when moving with the wind, hull 51 istipped alternatively from side to side to effect a zig-zag movementthrough the water. When the craft is in a tipped or heeled position,there is less frictional resistance or water drag due to the decreasedhull surface area below the water line. The result is increased boatspeed. Further, as the sail rotates from side to side with alternateheeling, it passes through a position perpendicular to the winddirection, at which point there is a pressure build-up behind the sail.Further rotational movement to either side serves as a release of thispressure build-up which, I have found, also has the effect ofmomentarily increasing boat speed.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show an alternative steering apparatus 11a in which likemembers are designated with like numerals, and the designation ofmodified members includes the reference letter a. The primary differencein steering apparatus 11a lies in the modified ramp, which is formedfrom a section of arcuate tubing 31a. The midpoint of tubing 31a restson the rear edge of frame 12a with the inclined arm portions projectingforwardly. Each of these arm portions is fastenable by means of a thumbscrew 62 to a bracket member 61, which is rigidly supported by frame12a. Bracket 61 includes a plurality of aligned openings which permitthe pitch or angle of inclination of tubing 31a to be varied (see dottedline in FIG. 10). This adjustment of tubing 31a allows steeringapparatus 11a to be easily adapted to particular wind conditions.Specifically, under strong wind conditions tubing 31a should be adjustedto the position represented by solid lines in FIG. 10, since this offersmore resistance to outwardly swaying movement of arm 27 as hull 51 istipped and permits arm return movement when hull 51 resumes its normalhorizontal position. It is evident that the angle of inclination oftubing 31a is commensurately decreased under lesser wind conditions.Thus, the adjustment of tubing 31a provides the proper bias for steeringapparatus 11a to effect the desired operating performance.

Centerboard 41a is also adjustable on dihedral member 42 to vary thedegree of maneuverability. The entire steering apparatus 11 can also bemoved forward or aft to achieve different handling characteristics.Generally speaking, movement of apparatus 11 toward the center of hull51 results in a lesser steering effect because of the decreased momentarm length (distance between mast 13 and the center of hull 51) throughwhich the wind force acts. Of course, if apparatus 11 were positionedforward of the center of hull 51, the steering affect would be opposite;i.e., with the sail in the position shown in FIG. 8, the boat would bearto the right rather than to the left. As mentioned above, the moredesirable operating position of apparatus 11 is on the aft portion ofhull 51.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus adapted for releasable connection to the top side of a boathull, comprising:

a. a frame normally occupying a horizontal position and constructed tobe tipped from side-to-side to varying positions of angular deviationfrom the normal horizontal position;

. a mast carried by the frame and projecting upwardly therefrom;

c. sail means supported by the mast with approximately equal areas oneach side thereof, the sail means being rotatable about the mast tovarious sailing attitudes;

. and control means for sensing the angular deviation of the frame fromits normal horizontal position, for moving the sail means to a firstplurality of attitudes respectively corresponding to frame positions ofincreased angular deviation from the normal horizontal position to oneside thereof, for

moving the sail means to a second plurality of attitudes respectivelycorresponding to frame positions of increasing angular deviation fromthe normal horizontal position to the other side thereof, and forrestraining sail means movement from a specific attitude while the framemeans remains in its corresponding position.

2. The apparatus as defined by claim 12, and further comprising acenterboard adapted for releasable connection to the bottom of the boathull.

3. A sailboat comprising:

a. a hull of predetermined size and having a normal floating position;

a mast carried by the hull and projecting upwardly therefrom;

c. sail means movably supported by the mast;

. means for sensing the angular deviation from the normal floatingposition of the hull and for moving the sail means to a particularposition as a function of said angular deviation; and

e. means for manually controlling the position of the sail means,comprising 1. a pair of arm members pivotally connected to the sailmeans for upward and downward movement;

2. means for interconnecting the outer ends of the arm members; and

3. means for maintaining the arm members in an upper position and alower position.

4. The sailboat defined by claim 3, wherein the arm interconnectingmeans comprises a length of fabric.

5. A surfing sailboat comprising:

a. a hull adapted for riding in surf board fashion, the

hull having a normal floating position and so constructed that it can betipped from side-to-side by a rider to varying positions of angulardeviation from the normal horizontal position;

. a mast carried by the hull and projecting upwardly therefrom;

c. sail means supported by the mast with approximately equal areas oneach side thereof, the sail means being rotatable about the mast tovarious sailing attitudes;

. and means for sensing angular deviation of the hull from its normalhorizontal position, or moving the sail means to a first plurality ofattitudes respectively corresponding to hull positions of increasingangular deviation from the normal horizontal position to one sidethereof, for moving the sail means to a second plurality of attitudesrespectively corresponding to hull positions of increasing angulardeviation from the normal horizontal position to the other side thereof,and for restraining sail means movement while the hull remains in itscorresponding position.

6. The surfing sailboat as defined by claim 5, wherein the control meanscomprises:

a. an arm affixed to the sail means and projecting laterally therefrom,the arm being movable with rotation of the sail means;

. a weight disposed on the arm toward its outer end;

. ramp means radially disposed with respect to the mast;

. means for adapting the arm to the ramp means;

. the arm having a normal position at an intermediate point on the rampmeans corresponding to the normal floating position of the hull; and

f. the ramp means being inclined upwardly in both directions from saidintermediate point.

7. The sailboat as defined by claim 6, wherein the position of theweight on the arm is adjustable.

8. The sallboat as defined by claim 6, wherein the means for adaptingthe arm to the ramp means comprises a roller member carried by the arm.

9. The sailboat as defined by claim 3, wherein the angle ofinclinationof the ramp means is adjustable.

10. The surfing sailboat defined by claim 5, wherein:

a. the sail means is disposed for rotatable movement about the mast ineither angular direction from a central position transverse to the lineof hull movement;

. the first plurality of attitudes corresponds to those rotationalpositions of the sail means which begin at the central position andincrease angularly therefrom in a first direction;

. and the second plurality of attitudes corresponds to those rotationalpositions of the sail means which begin at the central position andincrease angularly therefrom in the opposite direction.

l1.The sailboat as defined by claim 5, and further comprising acenterboard affixed to and projecting downward from the boat hull, thecenterboard disposed essentially below the mast.

12. The sailboat as defined by claim 5, wherein the sail means comprisesa symmetrical sail and a frame for the sail, the frame being rotatableon the mast.

13. The sailboat as defined by claim 5, and further comprising means forlimiting movement of the sail in a given direction.

14. The sailboat as defined by claim 5, wherein the mast, sail means andthe sensing and positioning means are disposed on the aft portion of theboat.

1. Apparatus adapted for releasable connection to the top side of a boathull, comprising: a. a frame normally occupying a horizontal positionand constructed to be tipped from side-to-side to varying positions ofangular deviation from the normal horizontal position; b. a mast carriedby the frame and projecting upwardly therefrom; c. sail means supportedby the mast with approximately equal areas on each side thereof, thesail means being rotatable about the mast to various sailing attitudes;d. and control means for sensing the angular deviation of the frame fromits normal horizontal position, for moving the sail means to a firstplurality of attitudes respectively corresponding to frame positions ofincreased angular deviation from the normal horizontal position to oneside thereof, for moving the sail means to a second plurality ofattitudes respectively corresponding to frame positions of increasingangular deviation from the normal horizontal position to the other sidethereof, and for restraining sail means movement from a specificattitude while the frame means remains in its corresponding position. 2.The apparatus as defined by claim 12, and further comprising acenterboard adapted for releasable connection to the bottom of the boathull.
 2. means for interconnecting the outer ends of the arm members;and
 3. A sailboat comprising: a. a hull of predetermined size and havinga normal floating position; b. a mast carried by the hull and projectingupwardly therefrom; c. sail means movably supported by the mast; d.means for sensing the angular deviation from the normal floatingposition of the hull and for moving the sail means to a particularposition as a function of said angular deviation; and e. means formanually controlling the position of the sail means, comprising
 3. meansfor maintaining the arm members in an upper position and a lowerposition.
 4. The sailboat defined by claim 3, wherein the arminterconnecting means comprises a length of fabric.
 5. A surfingsailboat comprising: a. a hull adapted for riding in surf board fashion,the hull having a normal floating position and so constructed that itcan be tipped from side-to-side by a rider to varying positions ofangular deviation from the normal horizontal position; b. a mast carriedby the hull and projecting upwardly therefrom; c. sail means supportedby the mast with approximately equal areas on each side thereof, thesail means being rotatable about the mast to various sailing attitudes;d. and means for sensing angular deviation of the hull from its normalhorizontal position, or moving the sail means to a first plurality ofattitudes respectively corresponding to hull positions oF increasingangular deviation from the normal horizontal position to one sidethereof, for moving the sail means to a second plurality of attitudesrespectively corresponding to hull positions of increasing angulardeviation from the normal horizontal position to the other side thereof,and for restraining sail means movement while the hull remains in itscorresponding position.
 6. The surfing sailboat as defined by claim 5,wherein the control means comprises: a. an arm affixed to the sail meansand projecting laterally therefrom, the arm being movable with rotationof the sail means; b. a weight disposed on the arm toward its outer end;c. ramp means radially disposed with respect to the mast; d. means foradapting the arm to the ramp means; e. the arm having a normal positionat an intermediate point on the ramp means corresponding to the normalfloating position of the hull; and f. the ramp means being inclinedupwardly in both directions from said intermediate point.
 7. Thesailboat as defined by claim 6, wherein the position of the weight onthe arm is adjustable.
 8. The sailboat as defined by claim 6, whereinthe means for adapting the arm to the ramp means comprises a rollermember carried by the arm.
 9. The sailboat as defined by claim 3,wherein the angle of inclination of the ramp means is adjustable. 10.The surfing sailboat defined by claim 5, wherein: a. the sail means isdisposed for rotatable movement about the mast in either angulardirection from a central position transverse to the line of hullmovement; b. the first plurality of attitudes corresponds to thoserotational positions of the sail means which begin at the centralposition and increase angularly therefrom in a first direction; c. andthe second plurality of attitudes corresponds to those rotationalpositions of the sail means which begin at the central position andincrease angularly therefrom in the opposite direction.
 11. The sailboatas defined by claim 5, and further comprising a centerboard affixed toand projecting downward from the boat hull, the centerboard disposedessentially below the mast.
 12. The sailboat as defined by claim 5,wherein the sail means comprises a symmetrical sail and a frame for thesail, the frame being rotatable on the mast.
 13. The sailboat as definedby claim 5, and further comprising means for limiting movement of thesail in a given direction.
 14. The sailboat as defined by claim 5,wherein the mast, sail means and the sensing and positioning means aredisposed on the aft portion of the boat.